Mp60-04 Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act for Patients With Advanced Prostate Cancer

You have accessJournal of UrologyProstate Cancer: Advanced (Including Drug Therapy) III (MP60)1 May 2024MP60-04 IMPACT OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT FOR PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER Benjamin Pockros, Kristian Stensland, and Vahakn Shahinian Benjamin PockrosBenjamin Pockros , Kristian StenslandKristian Stensland , and Vahakn ShahinianVahakn Shahinian View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001008804.84010.ec.04AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law in August 2022 and is poised to make a historic impact to reduce prescription drug costs in the United States. Among many provisions, the law establishes a new cap on out-of-pocket spending for Medicare beneficiaries at $3,250 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. More than one-third of patients with prostate cancer report a high degree of financial toxicity and this burden increases for advanced disease, in part because of the expense of new oral anti-androgen medications. The purpose of this study is to contextualize these policies for patients with advanced prostate and explore potential financial impacts. METHODS: We evaluate potential cost-savings based on oral anti-androgen medications insured by Medicare Part D, including abiraterone, apalutamide, darolutamide, and enzalutamide. All Medicare data was obtained from the 2021 Medicare Part D Dashboard. Projections and estimates are based off specific policy provisions outlined in the IRA law. RESULTS: The cap on out-of-pocket spending could save patients with advanced prostate cancer up to $9,000 each year in expenses related to drug costs starting as soon as 2024 (Figure 1). Over 75,000 patients insured by Medicare were prescribed oral androgen inhibitors in 2021, approximately triple the amount since 2019. Medicare spent over $4 billion dollars to pay for oral androgen inhibitors in 2021. Enzalutamide is projected to be one of the first drugs included in price negotiations, as Medicare spent a total of $2.4 billion dollars on the drug for approximately 30,000 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing financial barriers to prescription medication should increase access to treatment. The IRA is a step forward in alleviating the cost of cancer medications and a historic legislative change for patients burdened by the financial toxicity of cancer care in the. However, many shortfalls remain cancer care and delivery in the US that deserve further policy considerations. Urologists should remain active advocates for new legislation that can make treatments more financially accessible for patients. Download PPT Source of Funding: None © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 211Issue 5SMay 2024Page: e1000 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information Benjamin Pockros More articles by this author Kristian Stensland More articles by this author Vahakn Shahinian More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...